RAIPUR: Even as Central Reserve Police Force 's newly conceived Bastariya Battalion comprising of 739 local tribal youths from insurgency-hit districts of Bastar is all set to be commissioned on May 21, it's going to break one of the biggest hurdle of gender barrier with 33 percent of women candidates to combat against women Maoists in Chhattisgarh.Among the major challenges in combating Naxalism, CRPF had faced accusations of violations of human rights in dealing with tribal women, this, wouldn't be a problem anymore, CRPF officials chirped saying that their tribal women troops of Bastariya Battalion would now fight the tribal women Maoists."CRPF's 241st battalion the Bastariya Battalion is all set to get commissioned on May 21 with recruitment of local 739 youths from Bastar. Union home minister Rajnath Singh will attend the passing out parade of the newly formed soldiers in Ambikapur. The battalion has 33 percent of 198 women combats and it is the first time that a Battalion was imparted training with women and men troops together and on same level," a CRPF official said.While as per the figures, nearly 40 percent of women are the frontline Maoist leaders or work as lower rung members, it has been very difficult for CRPF men to check suspicious vehicles carrying women in large number, question the village women or the movement and presence of women. The Bastariya Battalion would break that obstacle and the women troops would stand in front to deal with women Maoists now.Two unique features of the battalion are inclusion of 33 percent of women combats as per the government's rule and the men and women were trained together. It hasn't been easy for either of them, as all of the recruits are coming from the remotest places of Bastar facing extreme Maoist domination. Adding to the local intelligence, they would now be an asset for the topography of the region.Most of their families are under threats and have been warned by Maoist leaders of dire consequences if the recruited troop returns home, s/he would be taken to task. but these "dare devils" continued their training and said that there were villagers and groups of lower rung Maoists who have been asked to keep a watch, once they spot us, shoot, is the order, said a jawan.Officials said, this special unit of daredevils has been formed after lot of scrutiny in four worst Maoist infested districts of Bijapur, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Sukma. To enhance combat capabilities in highly Maoist infested area of Bastar region, CRPF for the first time decided to include local representation. Giving employment opportunities to tribal youth, recruited them in the special unit comprising 739 recruits of tribal candidates, a special recruitment drive was launched.Keeping all the pros and cons in mind, ensuring maximum participation and encouraging them to feel deserved, CRPF gave a fair chance to the aspirants and the physical standards of height and weight were relaxed in height, chest (for men) and weight. Equal opportunities were provided with pre-educational and physical training to youths before recruitment in this region by CRPF in co-ordination with state government.Finally 739 candidates were selected out of which 198 Female candidates joined the offered post.The CPRF official said that as per the orders of Government of India, the 241 Bastariya Battalion came into existence with effect from April 2017 and its basic training started at (AIr Traffic Controller) ATC Bilaspur and ATC Ambikapur."The initial phase of training focused on increasing the physical fitness of the recruits to meet the rigorous training in successive semesters. The female trainees were given special training to break the gender barrier and graduated to the level of fitness at par with their male counterparts. After training, they are now completely motivated and ready to tackle the Maoist menace with all kinds of modern weapons being used by CRPF in Chhattisgarh," the official said.The troops are going to be deployed in the Special Operation Zones of state to fight Maoists alongside the normal battalions and CoBRA battalions, giving another boost to the ongoing fight against Maoists by the state.The Home Minister, after attending the passing out event, will hold an LWE review meeting in state capital Raipur.

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